What is our first response when we have to go through hardship? Do we turn to Christ in prayer or do we turn from Him in anger and bitterness. Here Francis Frangipane answers with very wise instruction.
Bitterness in the Garden of our Hearts
By Francis Frangipane
This is the whole article from Francis Frangipane on sorrow and bitterness...
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled" (Heb. 12:15).
It is impossible to pass through this world without being struck by injustice or heartache. Unless we process our struggles in Christ, a single wounding of our soul can create a deep bitterness within us, poisoning our very existence. In my forty-six years of ministry, I have known far too many Christians who have perfected the art of looking polite while living inwardly with an angry, cynical or resentful spirit. They have swallowed the poison of bitterness, and they are dying spiritually because of it. The problem is that, as Christians, we know it is wrong to react with open anger toward people. However, rather than truly forgiving and surrendering that injustice to God, we suppress our anger. Anger is a result of perceived injustice. Suppressed anger always degrades into bitterness, which is, in reality, unfulfilled revenge.
Embittered People
A bitter soul is trapped in a time warp; the person dwells in the memory of their pain. Several years ago I met a woman who had suffered a difficult divorce. I talked with her every six months or so for two years, and each time we talked she said exactly the same negative things about her ex-husband. Although she was divorced from him, she was now married to a bitter spirit that held her captive to her heartache.
An embittered soul continually blames others for their situation. I’m thinking of Naomi in the Book of Ruth. Here was a person who blamed her bitterness on God. She was angry that He allowed hardship and loss in her life. "The Lord has brought me back empty" (Ruth 1:21). In effect she was saying, My sorrow is God's fault.
Contrast her life with that of Job's first encounter with loss (Job 1). Job lost his children and possessions, yet he bowed and worshiped: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).
How we handle sorrow reveals the depth of our worship of God. When life cuts us, do we bleed bitterness or worship? Job bowed and drew close to God. Naomi withdrew and talked about the Lord with her back toward Him. I have dear friends who lost their only son when he was a teenager. In the midst of their heartache, they have become examples to everyone of true worship. Over the years, their pain actually purified and deepened their worship; their suffering made them more compassionate toward the suffering of others (See 2 Cor. 1:3-4). I also know others who have suffered the sudden loss of a loved one and, within weeks, withdrew from God and became embittered. Adversity does not perfect character; it reveals character. It exposes what is happening inside of us.
Poisoned
In ancient times mankind experimented with vegetation, seeking to learn which plants were edible and which were poisonous. In his search, he discovered that, generally speaking, if a plant or fruit was sweet, it was usually safe to eat; bitter plants, man discovered, would either sicken or kill. Likewise, the bitter experiences of life, if we ingest them into our spirits, can become a spiritual poison that destroys our hopeful expectations and attitudes. Such an experience may enter your soul via a relational wound or injustice; it can begin through a major disappointment or loss. However, once bitterness enters the human soul, like ink spreading in a glass of water, it can darken every aspect of our existence.
Indeed, not only can bitterness ruin our lives, Hebrews warns that a root of bitterness can "defile many" (Heb. 12:15 NIV). A spiritual root of bitterness is a hidden, unresolved anger that is buried beneath the surface of our lives. Outwardly we look "properly Christian," until we begin to discuss with others the situation where someone hurt us. As we speak, that root "springs up" and it defiles others. If you haven't dealt with your bitterness, beware when you speak to others, lest you defile them with your words. If you are listening to an embittered person, take heed that the spirit of bitterness is not being transferred to your life as well!
God desires to rescue us from bitterness so we can truly love and laugh again. Let us, therefore, sincerely approach the throne of God's grace and ask Him to show us the garden of our hearts. Yes, and let us see if our souls are truly free of the root of bitterness.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
Psalms
Psalm 12:8
8 The wicked strut about on every side
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.
The Devil Makes War
The devil is making war with the saints on a grander scale than every before as the time approaches for Christ to come and take His Children home.
Psalm 11:5-7
"5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain [a]snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves [b]righteousness;
The upright will behold His face."
Psalm 11:5-7
"5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
And the one who loves violence His soul hates.
6 Upon the wicked He will rain [a]snares;
Fire and brimstone and burning wind will be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous, He loves [b]righteousness;
The upright will behold His face."
The Wicked Destroy Foundations
The goal of the wicked is to destroy the foundations of the righteous. This is increasing in these last days. When you find yourself in a situation where you have attempted to be reasonable and others are acting irrationally as though you did something wrong, remember what God said about it in the Psalms.
Psalm 11:2-3
"2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”
Psalm 11:2-3
"2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow,
They make ready their arrow upon the string
To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
What can the righteous do?”
Society Has Become Fake
Proverbs 27:6
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy."
Romans 15:14
"And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another."
Colossians 3:16
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Psalm 141:5
"Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Do not let my head refuse it, For still my prayer is against their wicked deeds."
Luke 17:3
"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him."
1 Thessalonians 5:14
"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone."
2 Timothy 3:16
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
No Repentance Yet America!
I am not sure of what is happening in the political realm, but something just doesn't feel right. I can't nail it down, things just are not what they seem.
I am beginning to glimpse what it might be like when the anti-christ deceives the world with "perfect peace." The appearance of wonderful peace will have the heads of most people spinning in a sort of euphoria, as though all of a sudden everything is made perfect.
There are so many who are elated at the installation of our new president as though all the things we have wanted for the last 20 years are going to occur.
Yes, I admit it looks good right now even though it is mostly talk. But something is amiss, I just can't put my finger on it.
Our President Elect still owns businesses that do not honor God. He has a wife who still dresses as though she doesn't understand what modesty is all about.
Our new President Elect seems to be courting Russia in covert ways, the very nation that will come against Israel in prophesy, while at the same time claiming to place an embassy in Jerusalem, at a time that would cause the Arab world to rise up in protest, even possibly causing all out war.
Don't get me wrong, I am not against the Embassy in Jerusalem nor am I against many other things that are being proposed, but I do believe that it is the beginning of end times events, wars that are predicted in Ezekiel.
Not very much has been done yet, so far nearly everything is just words. Even if some of the things we think we want, just as the dissolution of Obama care, the wall that divides the United States and Mexico is built and other matters that conservatives are up in arms about actually get done, what has all that to do with repentance toward God for our sins as a nation?
All the things I hear people talking about that are going to "make America Great Again", are of little value if the nation does not repent, realize their sin and trust Christ.
Does anyone see a massive revival toward God going on yet? I suggest that we do not. Everything I see happening has to do with physical, financial and moral well being, not too much if anything about repentance and brokenness over sin.
Acts 19:18
"Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices."
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Proverbs 28:13
"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
Psalm 32:5
"I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah"
I am beginning to glimpse what it might be like when the anti-christ deceives the world with "perfect peace." The appearance of wonderful peace will have the heads of most people spinning in a sort of euphoria, as though all of a sudden everything is made perfect.
There are so many who are elated at the installation of our new president as though all the things we have wanted for the last 20 years are going to occur.
Yes, I admit it looks good right now even though it is mostly talk. But something is amiss, I just can't put my finger on it.
Our President Elect still owns businesses that do not honor God. He has a wife who still dresses as though she doesn't understand what modesty is all about.
Our new President Elect seems to be courting Russia in covert ways, the very nation that will come against Israel in prophesy, while at the same time claiming to place an embassy in Jerusalem, at a time that would cause the Arab world to rise up in protest, even possibly causing all out war.
Don't get me wrong, I am not against the Embassy in Jerusalem nor am I against many other things that are being proposed, but I do believe that it is the beginning of end times events, wars that are predicted in Ezekiel.
Not very much has been done yet, so far nearly everything is just words. Even if some of the things we think we want, just as the dissolution of Obama care, the wall that divides the United States and Mexico is built and other matters that conservatives are up in arms about actually get done, what has all that to do with repentance toward God for our sins as a nation?
All the things I hear people talking about that are going to "make America Great Again", are of little value if the nation does not repent, realize their sin and trust Christ.
Does anyone see a massive revival toward God going on yet? I suggest that we do not. Everything I see happening has to do with physical, financial and moral well being, not too much if anything about repentance and brokenness over sin.
Acts 19:18
"Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices."
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
James 5:16
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Proverbs 28:13
"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy."
Psalm 32:5
"I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah"
Thursday, January 5, 2017
The Heart of a Liar
A man with no conscience sees nothing wrong or evil about lying, because their minds are deeply perverted. What we see in public is only the tip of the iceberg. Whatever is done in public is magnified a hundred times in private. Who knows what kind of perverted lifestyle a liar is living.
John 8:44
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
Proverbs 26:23-28
"Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. ..."
John 8:44
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
Proverbs 26:23-28
"Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. ..."
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